Don't Rush Into School Projects

The schools in Manchester are in deplorable condition and action needs to be taken. We have before us on the November ballot a $110 million referendum to repair and renovate our 10 elementary schools.

Much of the project costs are repairs to physical systems such as roofs, windows, plumbing and electrical. There is also the matter of crowding in some of our elementary schools.

The problem is that a project of this scope and magnitude is extremely expensive for us all. It must also be understood that repairs to the elementary schools that this referendum addresses is only part of the problem. We still have another monster in the cellar, the middle and high schools that are in as great a need. Work in all of our school buildings is long overdue.

Limited by deadlines to apply for state reimbursement for the project left too little time to create a solution for the entire Manchester school system. Consequently, the middle and high schools are left out of the current referendum. Adequate time has not been given to assess the feasibility of building brand-new schools vs. remodeling old ones. The state is not likely to be able to decide what level of reimbursement Manchester will receive for the project by the Nov. 2 vote. An evaluation of the effect this project will have on the tax rate, given revaluation next year, has not been done.

We need a more complete solution to this problem. We need more details to make an informed decision. It was a mistake to rush to get something on the ballot and put off until next year the problem of the middle and high schools.

Let's go back to the drawing board and craft a thought-out and wise plan to repair and renovate all our elementary, middle and high schools. A plan in which we can all be proud. We need more time to do the entire project; let's take it. Let's continue to get all interested parties involved and come back next year with a complete and affordable solution.

The board of education has already established a 6-12 advisory committee to begin work on what to do with the middle and high schools. Let's add the elementary schools to the list and come up with a solution for the entire system. I want to work to make all of Manchester's schools the best they can be. Let's go back to work and finish the job.

Vote no on the referendum. Manchester deserves a better, more complete plan.